Small RNA (sRNA) are polymeric RNA molecules that are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and are usually non-coding.[1]RNA silencing is often a function of these molecules, with the most common and well-studied example being RNA interference (RNAi), in which endogenously (from within the organism) expressed microRNA (miRNA) or endogenously/exogenously (from outside the organism) derived small interfering RNA (siRNA) induces the degradation of complementarymessenger RNA.[2] Other classes of small RNA have been identified, including piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) and its subspecies repeat associated small interfering RNA (rasiRNA).[3] Small RNA "is unable to induce RNAi alone, and to accomplish the task it must form the core of the RNA–protein complex termed the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), specifically with Argonaute protein".[4]: 366
A simplified overview of RNAi.
Small RNA have been detected or sequenced using a range of techniques, including directly by MicroRNA sequencing on several sequencing platforms,[5][6][7] or indirectly through genome sequencing and analysis.[8] Identification of miRNAs has been evaluated in detecting human disease, such as breast cancer.[6]Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) miRNA expression has been studied as potential biomarker for different neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease,[9]Multiple sclerosis.[10] Evaluating small RNA is useful for certain kinds of study because its molecules "do not need to be fragmented prior to library preparation".[4]: 162
The first sRNA discovered was in 1984 where MicF was found to regulate the outer cell membrane in E. Coli by inhibiting the production of the protein ompF and ompC.[11] The use of sRNA in regulation of gene expression was found alongside it's discovery. It was later discovered to be present across all eukaryotic organisms. In 1998 it was discovered that the sRNA can be transferred between organisms. It was later discovered in 2011 that sRNA are transferred from cell to cell inside an organism as well.[12]
Lists the multiple functions of the types of small RNAPiwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) - an RNA that regulates the germ line, transposons, as well as histones. It also participates in the argonaute complex.[16]
QDE-2 interfering RNA (qiRNA) - an RNA that regulates gene expression after DNA damage[17]
small rDNA-derived RNA (srRNA) - an RNA involved in multiple signaling pathways as well as the formation of Argonaute protein complexes.[23]
tRNA-derived stress induced RNA (tiRNA) - an RNA that regulates translation by binding to ribosomes.[24]
tRNA fragment (tRF) - an RNA fragment that regulates translation by binding to ribosomes and altering mRNA's caps. It can also combine with Argonaute protein complexes to degrade mRNA.[24][25]
Y RNA-derived small RNA (ysRNA) - an RNA that aids in initiaion of DNA replication as well as preventing mRNA from degrading.[26][27]
^Billi, Allison C.; Fischer, Sylvia E. J.; Kim, John K. (2018), "Endogenous RNAi pathways in C. elegans", WormBook: The Online Review of C. elegans Biology [Internet], WormBook, PMID24816713, retrieved 2025-05-05
